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PSA up after Radiotheraphy

User
Posted 29 Mar 2016 at 13:42

Hi

I had my prostate removed in 2012 and (after my PSA rose) radiotherapy in Feb 2015. My PSA has now risen to 0.1 from <0.02 three months ago.

At what level should I go back to the oncologist?

Kevin

User
Posted 29 Mar 2016 at 18:01

Can't answer your question Kevin as I don't have the experience but I'm hoping by bumping somebody else can help you

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails
User
Posted 29 Mar 2016 at 19:18

Personally i would want to see them now Kevin due to how quicky its risen. Others may say wait to see what the PSA is at your next test.

Its an individual and personal decision

Bri

User
Posted 29 Mar 2016 at 20:49

I would want to know two things Bould

- did the person that gave you your PSA result read it absolutely correctly or could the result sheet actually have said < 0.1 ? You know that the < sign means the world but so many receptionists and practice nurses seem to not know what it means.

- is it possible that this PSA test was done at a different lab or could it be that this time, the nurse only ticked the normal PSA test box rather than request the supersensitive test that you have been having up to now?

If it was same test, same lab, and read correctly, I would be seeking a referral back to the specialist to discuss. Officially, chemical recurrence is when you get to 0.2 or have three successive rises so you are not quite there but you have been down this road once already, haven't you. The difference this time would be no obvious other salvage treatments on the table so the point for acknowledging a possible recurrence is not the same as the point at which long term maintenance treatment might start. Some oncos suggest waiting till the PSA gets to 5 or 10 and some would even wait for it to reach 20.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 30 Mar 2016 at 07:52

Thanks. My previous test was marked super sensitive this one is not so I will check with the doctors.
Kevin

User
Posted 30 Mar 2016 at 09:00

Ah...that could explain it then.

Bri

User
Posted 08 Sep 2016 at 14:50

So, is the normal PSA test, the non-high sensitive one, generally regarded as pretty much the same as 'undetectable' if it comes back as a 0.1? In other words, the basic test can't actually read lower than that, depending on the hospital of course?

David

User
Posted 09 Sep 2016 at 07:45

I wouldn't know if 0.1 is their lowest reading but if it was presumably they wouldn't put <0.1 as I guess they would not know if it was less.

I guess you have two options wait to see what your next PSA result is or ask for a sensitive test now for peace of mind. But be mindful that with the sensitive tests they can cause anxiety as you often get minute fluctuations that are actually often nothing to worry about, but we do worry about them.

Bri

 
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